IN MODERN AGRICULTURE

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1 Biostimulators IN MODERN AGRICULTURE Solanaceous Crops E D I T O R : Zbigniew T. Dąbrowski W a r s a w

2 1 Biostimulators IN MODERN AGRICULTURE Solanaceous crops EDITOR: Zbigniew T. Dabrowski, Warsaw 2008

3 2 The series of monographs under a common name BIOSTIMULATORS IN MODERN AGRICULTURE contains a review of recent research related to this subject and consists of the following parts: GENERAL ASPECTS FIELD CROPS SOLANACEOUS CROPS VEGETABLE CROPS FRUIT CROPS ORNAMENTAL AND SPECIAL PLANTS EDITORIAL BOARD: Andrzej Sadowski, Department of Pomology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) chairman Zbigniew T. D¹browski, Department of Applied Entomology, WULS Helena Gawroñska, Laboratory of Basic Natural Sciences in Horticulture, WULS Aleksandra ukaszewska, Department of Ornamental Plants, WULS Adam S³owiñski, Arysta LifeScience Poland PRODUCTION EDITORS: Zbigniew T. D¹browski, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) Anna Karbowniczek, Arysta LifeScience Poland Ada Krzeczkowska, Wieœ Jutra Halina Skrobacka, Wieœ Jutra REVIEWERS: Zbigniew T. D¹browski, Department of Applied Entomology, Warsaw University of Life Sciences (WULS) Ma³gorzata Kie³kiewicz-Szaniawska, Department of Applied Entomology, WULS Marian Saniewski, Institute of Pomology and Floriculture, Skierniewice Anna Tomczyk, Department of Applied Entomology, WULS This edition was supported by Arysta LifeScience Cover: Plantpress ISBN Published by the Editorial House Wieœ Jutra, Limited Janowskiego Warszawa phone: (0 22) wies.jutra@adres.pl Printed by Ryko Copies 300, publishing sheets: 8.0

4 3 CONTENTS PREFACE... 5 INFLUENCE OF BIO-ALGEEN S-90 ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SMALL-SIZED TOMATO... 7 Renata Dobromilska, Kamila Gubarewicz EFFECTS OF BIOSTIMULATORS ON CULTURE OF ALBONEY F1 GREENHOUSE TOMATO...13 Krzysztof Kossak, Barbara Dyki EFFECT OF GOTEO TREATMENT ON YIELD AND FRUIT QUALITY OF TOMATO GROWN ON ROCKWOOL Katarzyna Kowalczyk, Teresa Zielony TOMATO PLANT GROWTH AND RESISTANCE TO SOME ARTHROPOD HERBIVORES IN RESPONSE TO HARPIN AND GRAPEFRUIT SEED EXTRACT TREATMENTS Ma³gorzata Kie³kiewicz, Bartosz Willimowski, Paulina Szaryñska BIOSTIMULATORS IN SWEET PEPPER CULTIVATION UNDER COVERS...36 Agnieszka Stêpowska EFFECTS OF GA 142 (GOËMAR GOTEO) AND GA 14 (GOËMAR BM86) EXTRACTS ON SWEET PEPPER YIELD IN NON-HEATED TUNNELS Agnieszka Stêpowska EFFECT OF ASAHI SL BIOSTIMULATOR ON YIELD OF POTATO TUBERS AND THEIR QUALITY Tomasz Maciejewski, Tadeusz Michalski, Monika Bartos-Spycha³a, Wojciech Cieœlicki MODIFICATION OF POTATO TUBER CHEMICAL COMPOSITION BY APPLICATIONS OF THE ASAHI SL BIOSTIMULATOR...61 Barbara Sawicka, Maria Mikos-Bielak RATE OF SPREAD OF FUNGAL DISEASES ON POTATO PLANTS AS AFFECTED BY APPLICATION OF A BIOREGULATOR AND FOLIAR FERTILISER Barbara Sawicka APPLICATION OF GROWTH REGULATORS IN POTATO SEED PRODUCTION FROM MICROTUBERS...77 Krystyna Rykaczewska POLISH SUMMARIES... 86

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6 5 PREFACE The high yield potential of modern cultivars is often restrained by various environmental stresses both of biotic and abiotic nature, affecting the crop status. The present approach in pro-ecological plant protection from such biotic stresses as weeds, diseases and pests emphasises enhancement of naturally occurring compounds, organisms or plant defence mechanisms. These compounds should fill the gap resulting from the regulatory decisions of national authorities in many countries, leading to restrictions in use of a number of synthetic pesticides. Extensive research carried out in the last two decades has shown that some natural products may be efficiently used in enhancing the plant s endogenous resistance or tolerance to the biotic and abiotic stresses. A group of such active products is presently classified as biostimulators. When reduction of the chemical input is expected, the use of biostimulators becomes a particularly promising option. Biostimulators are defined as compounds of biological origin and should act by increasing natural capabilities of plants to cope with stresses. Biostimulators do not act neither as nutrients nor affect directly the stress factors making them less harmful for plants. The efficacy of biostimulators is not limited to reducing effects of biotic and abiotic stresses. They stimulate growth and development of plants under unfavourable soil and climatic conditions. Although the effects of biostimulators are not so spectacular and not always stable over the years due to interaction with other used chemicals and/or environmental factors the interest of farmers in using biostimulators is successively increasing over time. According to the national legislation, biostimulators are related to the category of plant protection products. Therefore they must comply with all rules for registration and hence prior to formal approval for use they must be tested for safety to humans and the environment. The dynamic increase of research projects on biostimulators and of farmers interest in their use in agriculture and horticulture production provoked an idea of the international conference on Biostimulators in Modern Agriculture. It was organized by the Laboratory of Basic Sciences in Horticulture, at the Faculty of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences. The conference has attracted a large group of scientists and graduate students from universities and research institutions involved in basic and applied research

7 6 in agriculture as well from the industry. About three hundred sixty participants included also representatives of farmers and distributors of agricultural supplies. The extensive and creative discussions during the conference and interest in conference materials as well as suggestions from participants indicated the urgent need for dissemination of the state of knowledge on biostimulators. This inspired the organizers of the Conference to co-ordinate preparing reviews on recent scientific achievements in the field of biostimulators, including the practical aspects of their application on various crops. Following suggestions appearing at the Conference, the organisers invited scientists having experience and achievements in work on biostimulators to prepare relevant reviews related to particular products and crops. Based on the submitted manuscripts the Editorial Board decided to publish a series of monographs entitled: BIOSTIMULATORS IN MODERN AGRICULTU- RE comprising the following six volumes: General Aspects, Field Crops, Solanaceous Crops, Vegetable Crops, Fruit Crops and Ornamental and Special Plants. The Editors hope that this publication would fill the gap in knowledge on the mechanisms of action of various biostimulators and on the conditions for their high efficacy. We are very grateful to the authors who willingly agreed to contribute to these books. EDITORS

8 7 INFLUENCE OF BIO-ALGEEN S-90 ON THE YIELD AND QUALITY OF SMALL-SIZED TOMATO Renata Dobromilska, Kamila Gubarewicz University of Agriculture in Szczecin, Szczecin, Poland INTRODUCTION Sea algae are unicellular or multicellular organisms, which live mainly in salty or salted water. Thallophytic algae containing a brown pigment, which have been used as a fertilizer since a long time, are characterized by special nutritive value. They contain a lot of vitamins, carbohydrates and amino acids, iodine, calcium, magnesium and iron. Ascophyllum nodosum is the most widespread species, used to production of algae preparations. These algae are typically coastal, their thallus forms a close thicket, they are very important component of sea biocenosis. The preparations made of sea algae can be used especially in the ecological agriculture, whose main idea is to keep harmony and compactness with nature. Although algae and a lot of other sea products have been used in agriculture since a long time, the mechanism which stimulates growth and development of plants has not been fully explained yet [Crouch, van Staden 1992]. Among plant hormones cytokinins are the basic components of algae extract which affect growth of treated plants. The natural cytokinins, contrary to the synthetic stimulators, can be of great importance in protection of plants from different plant diseases and noxious insects [Norrie, Hiltz 1999]. There are also auxins and gibberellins, besides cytokinins, in the algae composition. Antioxidants, which prevent from creation of free radicals, are in the midst of components occurring in the algae. The free radicals affect acceleration of growing-old processes [Czeczko, Mikos-Bielak 2000]. Stimulation of antioxidants can give positive results in sustained storage of fruits and vegetables [Norrie, Hiltz 1999]. Laminarine a polysaccharide, which is also the reserve material, was meant in the composition of Ascophyllum nodosum [Partier et al. 1993]. Algae extracts induce also a higher concentration of chlorophyll in plants leaves. It was proved that content of chlorophyll in leaves of plants treated with the algae extracts is dependent on content of betanine [Blunden et al. 1996]. Algae biostimulators occur the most often as a liquid or as a powder. There are leaf or soil application of the algae biostimulators available on market. In both cases they affect metabolism, microbiological activity and growth of plants [Vernieri et al. 2005]. Another way of application is soaking of seeds in the biostimulators, which increases their energy of germination [Bralewski, Ho³ubowicz 2003]. Both in the cultivation of agricultural and horticultural crops the algae extracts are used in low concentrations [Becket, van Standen 1989, Blunden et al. 1996, Kowalski et al. 1999].

9 8 Bio-algeen S-90 is one of the most popular preparations made on the base of the thallophytic algae containing a brown pigment, which can be used in soilless or in traditional cultivation of tomato under covers [Wysocka-Owczarek 2001]. It stimulates development of tomato root system, its flowering and fructification. It increases hardiness of plants and supports defensive mechanisms of plants. The aim of experiments conducted in the years in the Department of Vegetable Crops of Agricultural University in Szczecin was to examine the influence of using of sea algae preparation Bio-algeen S-90 on growth and yielding of cherry tomato cv Conchita F 1. MATERIAL AND METHODS Cherry tomato cv Conchita F 1 TmC 5 VF 5 FrWi (De Ruiter Seeds, The Netherlands) belongs to the group of cocktail cultivars of red fruits, suitable for cluster harvest. It is characterized by a high biological value, greater content of sugars, vitamin C, carotenoid pigments and organic acids in comparison with middle- and large-scale-farming cultivars. They are also characterized by a high content of dry matter, intensive aroma and sweet taste. Tomato seeds were sown in the glasshouse on 20 th March and seedlings were planted in the plastic tunnel after 15 th May in rows, using row spacing 1.4 x 0.25 cm, on the 3.5-square-meter plots of ground (10 plants on the plot of ground). Tomato plants were cultivated in a high, unheated plastic tunnel. Bio-algeen S-90 preparation was used in the 0.3% concentration in the form of spraying conducted one, two, three or four times. The first spraying was carried out at the stage of 2-3 proper leaves, second before planting, third at the beginning of flowering, fourth at the initial stage of plant yielding. The cherry tomato was headed in the first decade of July behind the sixth cluster. During the plant vegetation period following biometrical measurements were carried out as: a height of plant, diameter of stem, number of leaves, number of flowers and fruits. Harvest of fruits took place from the third decade of July to the first decade of September. The total, early marketable and out-of-choice yield was evaluated. Chemical analyses of fruits were also carried out to evaluate the dry matter and vitamin C content. The dry matter was estimated by a drying method and level of vitamin C by Tillmans titrimetric method with 2, 6-dichloroindophenol. L-dehydroascorbic acid is reduced for ascorbic acid. The experiments were established in the randomized blocks design, in four replications. Results of the experiments were statistically verified by Tukey s test at the significance level a = RESULTS The biometric measurements of plants conducted during their vegetation showed that the height of plants depended significantly on number of sprayings with Bio-algeen S-90 preparation (Tab. 1). The control plants were of height cm, however plants treated three times with Bio-algeen S-90 were 6.6 cm higher. The control plants formed also the

10 fewest leaves. Using of Bio-algeen, independently of number of sprayings, increased number of leaves by 1.2 average leaf. Single, double and triple spraying of plants increased on the average 0.87 mm diameter of stem of tomato in comparison with the control and to plants treated four times with the biostimulator. Number of formed flowers and set fruits depended significantly on dosing of Bio-algeen S-90 (Tab. 2). Those plants, which were sprayed with Bio-algeen two times formed the greatest number of flowers and fruits, but those fruits were of smaller diameter. Using of Bio-algeen increased significantly the total and marketable yield of fruits. The total and marketable yield was the highest in the year 2006 (Fig. 2). TABLE 1. THE EFFECT OF BIO-ALGEEN SPRAYING ON THE VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF SMALL- SIZED TOMATO PLANTS ( ) Tabela.1. Wp³yw traktowania roœlin Bio-algeenem na wzrost wegetatywny roœlin pomidora ( ) NUMBER OF BIOALGEEN TREATMENT Liczba zabiegów Bio-algeenem CONTROL Kontrola 1 TREATMEN T 1 oprysk 2 TREATMENTS 2 opryski 3 TREATMENT S 3 opryski 4 TREATMENT S 4 opryski MEAN Œrednia HIGH OF PLANTS Wysokoœæ roœlin [cm] NUMBER OF LEAVES [pcs] L iczba liœci [szt.] 9 DIAMETER OF STEM Œrednica ³odygi [mm] LSD/NIR a = SOURCE: OWN STUDY ród³o: badania w³asne. TABLE 2. THE EFFECT OF BIO-ALGEEN SPRAYING ON THE FLOWERS AND FRUITS NUMBER AND DIAMETER OF TOMATO FRUITS Tabela 2. Wp³yw traktowania roœlin Bio-algeenem na liczbê kwiatów i owoców oraz œrednicê owoców NUMBER OF BIO-ALGEEN TREATMENT Liczba zabiegów Bio-algeenem CONTROL Kontrola 1 TREATMEN T 1 oprysk 2 TREATMENT S 2 opryski 3 TREATMENT S 3 opryski 4 TREATMENT S 4 opryski MEAN Œrednia NYMBER OF FLOWERS [ p cs/plant] Liczba kwiatów [szt./roœlina] NUMBER OF FRUITS [pcs/plant] Liczba owoców [szt./roœlina] DIAMETER OF FRIUTS Œrednica owoców [cm] LSD/NIR a = SOURCE: OWN STUDY ród³o: badania w³asne.

11 10 È &21752/.RQWUROD FIGURE 1. THE PERCENTAGE OF SET FRUITS COMPARED TO THE NUMBER OF FLOWERS SOURCE: OWN STUDY. Rysunek 1. Odsetek zawi¹zanyh owoców w stosunku do wytworzonych kwiatów [%] ród³o: badania w³asne. È 75($70(17RSU\VN È È 75($70(176RSU\VNL È The highest yield was obtained when the preparation was used three times (Tab. 3). Fruits of plants treated with Bio-algeen contained more dry matter and vitamin C (Tab. 4). The greatest number of flowers (185 flowers) was formed by those plants which were treated with the preparation two times. Significantly smaller number of flowers was formed by the control plants and when plants were sprayed with Bio-algeen four times (respectively 31.7 and 34.7 flowers less). Similar differences were found when fruits were formed. The most fruits (146.3 fruits) were formed on plants which were sprayed with Bio-algeen two times. Number of fruits of the control plants and of those which were sprayed four times significantly decreased (respectively 25.6 and 17.0 fruits per plant). The formulations efficacy on fruits forming appeared differently. Plants sprayed three and four times formed a greater percentage of set fruits in relation È 75($70(176RSU\VNL kg. m -2 ÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃÃ È È 75($70(176RSU\VNL CONTROL Kontrola TREATMENTS Opryski CONTROL Kontrola TREATMENTS Opryski CONTROL Kontrola TREATMENTS Opryski È È FIGURE 2. THE INFLUENCE OF BIO-ALGEEN ON THE TOTAL AND MARKETABLE YIELD OF SMALL-SIZED TOMATO CV CONCHITA F1 IN THE YEARS SOURCE: OWN STUDY. Rysunek 2. Wp³yw preparatu Bio-algeen na plon ogólny i handlowy owoców odmiany Conchita F1 w latach ród³o: badania w³asne.

12 11 TABLE 3. THE INFLUENCE OF BIO-ALGEEN TREATMENT ON THE YIELD TOMATO ( ) Tabela 3. Wp³yw traktowania 2006) NUMBER OF BIO-ALGEEN TREATMENT Liczba zabiegów Bio-algeenem CONTROL Kontrola 1 TREATMEN T 1 oprysk 2 TREATMENT S 2 opryski 3 TREATMENT S 3 opryski 4 TREATMENT S 4 opryski MEAN Œrednia OF SMALL-SIZE D roœlin preparatem Bio-algeen na plon pomidorów drobnoowocowych TOTAL YIELD Plon ogólny [ kg. m - 2 ] MARKETABLE YIELD Plon handlowy [ kg. m 2 - ] EARLY YIELD Plon wczesny [ kg. m - 2 ] (2004- NON-MARKET- ABLE YIELD Plon poza wyborem [ kg. m LSD/NIR a = n.s./r.n SOURCE: OWN STUDY ród³o: badania w³asne. TABLE 4. THE EFFECT OF BIO-ALGEEN SPRAYING ON THE DRY MATTER [% ] AND VITAMIN C 1 CONTENT [ mg 100 g - F.W.] IN TOMATOES IN THE YEARS T abela 4. Wp³yw Bio-algeenu na zawartoœæ suchej masy [%] i witaminy C [g g œ.m.] w latach CHARACTERISTIC of FRUITS Cecha owoców DRY MATTER CONTENT Z awartoœæ suchej masy [% ] 1 VITAMIN C CONTENT [ mg 100 g f.w. - 1 Zawartoœæ witaminy C [ mg 100 g œ.m. ] SOURCE: OWN STUDY ród³o: badania w³asne. - ] - - NUMBER OF BIO-ALGEEN TREATMENTS Liczba zabiegów Bio-algeenem CONTROL kontrola TREATMENTS Opryski ] MEAN Œrednia to produced flowers on the average 85.7%, but in the other treatments on the average 79.6% (Fig.1). It was found that in combination where plants produced the highest number of fruits, their diameter was significantly smaller (3.24 cm) than diameter of fruits of the other treatments (Tab. 2). Results relating to yielding of tomato showed significant differences in the total and marketable yield under the influence of spraying plants with Bio-algeen (Tab. 3). The highest total and marketable yield of tomato was produced by plants treated three times with Bio-algeen. The total yield amounted to 6.64 kg. m -2 and was on the average 1.2 kg m -2 greater than the yield of the control plants and than the yield of plants treated once with the biostimulator. The marketable yield was high and amounted to 97.3% of the total yield in the combination where the preparation was used three times. The marketable yield, obtained from the control plants and from those which were treated only once with the preparation was significantly on the average 19.7% smaller.

13 12 It was observed that the early yield of tomato did not depend on treating of plants with Bio-algeen. The yield obtained in the first three weeks amounted on the average to 1.57 kg. m -2. Triple spraying of plants with Bio-algeen decreased significantly the non-commercial yield of plants to 0.18 kg. m -2 in comparison to other treatments, where it amounted on the average to 0.25 kg. m -2 (Tab. 3). It was found that fruits of cherry tomato cv Conchita F 1 were characterized by the high biological value with fruits contented % of dry matter (Tab. 4). The highest content of dry matter was noted for fruits of those tomatoes which were sprayed with Bio-algeen S-90 two times. It was also evaluated that fruits of tomato cv Conchita were characterized by a very high level of vitamin C (between and mg. 100 g -1 fresh weight). Fruits of the control plants contained the least vitamin C, however, fruits of the plants which were treated with Bio-algeen two times, contained the most vitamin C. Fruits of tomato sprayed three times with Bio-algeen S-90 were characterized by similarly high content of dry matter and vitamin C. CONCLUSIONS 1. Spraying plants with Bio-algeen S-90 stimulated the vegetative growth of the smallfruit tomato cv Conchita F Spraying plants three times with Bio-algeen S-90 in the concentration of 0.3% significantly increased the total and marketable yield. 3. Bio-algeen used two and three times increased content of dry matter and vitamin C in tomato fruits. REFERENCES Beckett R.P., van Staden J. 1989: The effect of seaweed concentrate on the growth and yield of potassium stressed wheat. Plant and Soil., vol. 116, 1, Blunden G., Jenkins T., Yan-Wen L. 1996: Enhanced leaf chlorophyll levels in plants treated with seaweed extract. J. Appl. Phycol., vol. 8, 6, Bralewski T., Ho³ubowicz R. 2003: Wp³yw biostymulatorów na jakoœæ nasion marchwi (Daucus carota L.) i kopru (Anethum graveolens L.). Folia Hortic. Suplement, 1, Crouch I.J., van Staden J. 1993: Evidence for the presence of plant growth regulators in commercial seaweed products. Plant Growth Regulation, vol. 13, 1, Czeczko R., Mikos-Bielak M. 2000: Wp³yw Atoniku na zawartoœæ witaminy C i zwi¹zków polifenolowych w wybranych gatunkach warzyw. Roczniki AR Poznañ, 31, cz. 2, Kowalski B., Jäger A.K., van Staden J. 1999: The effect of a seaweed concentrate on the in vitro growth and acclimatization of potato plantlets. J. Potato Res., vol. 42, 1, Norrie J., Hlitz D.A. 1999: Seaweed extract research and applications in agriculture. Agro-Food-Industry- Hi-Tech, March/April, Patier P., Yvin J.C., Kloareg B., Liénart Y., Rochas C. 1993: Seaweed liquid fertilizer from Ascophyllum nodosum contains elicitors of plant D-glycanases. J. Appl. Phycol., vol. 5, 3, Wysocka-Owczarek M. 2001: Zaburzenia wzrostu i rozwoju pomidora. Wyd. Plantpress Sp. z o.o., Kraków, 108 pp. Vernieri P., Borghesi E., Ferrante A., Magnani G. 2005: Application of biostimulants in floating system for improving rocket quality. J. Food Agr. Environ., vol. 3 (3&4 ),

14 13 EFFECS OF BIOSTIMULATORS ON CULTIVATION OF ALBONEY F 1 GREENHOUSE TOMATO Krzysztof Kossak 1, Barbara Dyki 2 1 Horticultural Farm Eko Warta, Warta, Poland 2 Research Institute of Vegetable Crops, Skierniewice, Poland INTRODUCTION Presently, it is necessary to limit chemical agents in the production of greenhouse vegetables, including a tomato, and the pressure is put on the use of integrated methods [Babik 2004] to achieve yield with high quality, taste values and with excellent looks [Kossak 2007a]. These are the requirements dictated by customers. The practice shows that intensive cultivation of greenhouse tomato is not always possible to achieve the maximum economic effect [Wysocka-Owczarek 2004]. Even small mistakes in cultivation, which are often difficult to eliminate, can cause disorders defined as physiological plants diseases [Dyki, Borkowski 2000, Wysocka-Owczarek 2004]. Moreover, stressogenic, abiotic environment conditions have a negative influence on the quantity and quality of the yield [Wysocka-Owczarek 2004, Dyki, Borkowski 2007]. Therefore, biostimulators are being looked for to the exogenous use in cultivation of different plant species, including tomatoes in order to keep more stable yield and increase the quality of fruits [Kossak 2007 b, S³owiñski 2007ab, Wysocka-Owczarek 2007]. Stimulation of physiological plants activity with the treatment of biostimulators obtained from chitin scutums of Arctic krill, grapefruit or the rocks containing titanium compounds was proved by several authors [Borkowski, Kowalczyk 1999, Borkowski et al. 2004, Borkowski, Dyki 2004, Dyki et al. 2000, Górnik et al. 2003]. The Vegetables Quality Improvement Program which has been realized since several years popularizes the potential positive effects of products obtained from sea algae [Wysocka-Owczarek 2002, S³owiñski 2007ab, Kawka 2008]. The aim of this study was to estimate the impact of biostimulators applications on the quantity and quality of the yield of greenhouse tomato and on morphological characters of plants. MATERIAL AND METHODS The 2006 and 2007 experiments were conducted in the greenhouse on the tomato cultivar Alboney F 1 of Enza Zaden company. The plants were treated with the different kinds of biostimulators. The tomato plants were cultivated on the mineral wool substrate (Pargro Neptune) during the extension cycle. Obtained in the 2006 research results were a base to continuation of experiments in The seeds of tomato cultivar Alboney F 1

15 14 were sowed at the beginning of December in The tomato plants were transplanted to destination place in greenhouse on 12 th of February Five kinds of biostimulators in the form of watering were applied. Goëmar Goteo (Goëmar Lab. company) at the concentration of 0.1% and 0.2% was applied four times in two combinations 1, 7, 14, 21 (x 4) and 1, 7 days after planting tomato plants to destination place, plus two times in July during the full fruiting of tomatoes (x2+2). Bioalgeen S90 (Polger-Kido company) at the concentration of 0.2% every 30 days, Bio Jodis (Jeznach company) 0.04% every 7 days and Resistim (Broste company) 0.01% every 10 days in the form of watering were applied. Tytanit (Intermag company) at the concentration of 0.02% was applied every 20 days in the form of watering and every 14 days in the form of spraying. The experiment was conducted in the random blocks scheme in three replications. Each combination included 54 plants. The biostimulators were dosed manually starting from plant seedlings to the end of production. Statistical analyses were performed with using analyze of variance. Statistical important differences between means were estimated by the NEWMAN-KEUL S test at the significance level P = MICROSCOPIC ANALYSES Material for histological analyses were collected twice: (a) after the creation of the third bunch and (b) at the end of fruiting. The fragments of the stem, root and petiole (with the length of approximately 20 mm) were always collected from the half of analyzed part of the plant height. The plant material was treated 48 hours in the CrAF agent (chromic acid, acetic acid, formalin), dehydrated in ethanol and embedded in paraffin [Gerlach 1972]. The cross-sections were stained with safranine and light green [Filutowicz, Ku dowicz 1951]. Analyses of cross-section was done with a light microscope Jenaval at the magnification of 250x. Additionally, the presence of a pollen grains on the surface of pistil s stigma of the flower of the first and the second bunch was analyzed with the use of a scanning electron microscope JEOL JSM-S1 type after fixing the pistils in CraF, dehydration in ethanol and acetone, drying with CO 2 in the apparatus Critical Point Drying and coated with gold [Hayat 1976]. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The highest total yield (45.9 kg m -2 ) and marketable yield (44.8 kg m -2 ) were obtained after treatment of plants with Resistim biostimulator, whereas from the untreated control plants only 44.0 and 43.3 kg m -2 respectively. Also high quality total yield (45.0 kg m -2 ) was obtained from the plants treated with Goëmar Goteo at the concentration of 0.1% (x 4) (Tab. 1). Small but positive influence on highness of tomato total yield was proved in plants treated with biostimulators: Bio Jodis and Goëmar Goteo at the concentration of 0.2% (x4). The highest total and marketable yield were not proved in remaining combinations. The early yield was higher in seven combinations in comparison to the control (Tab. 1). The squeezing resistance of tomato fruits was only increased for plants treated with Resistim and Goëmar Goteo at the concentration of 0.1% (x4) and it was obtained lower values in remaining combinations in comparison to the control (Tab. 2).

16 15 TABLE 1. THE INFLUENCE OF BIOSTIMULATORS ON T HE TOMATO FRUITS YIELD [kg. m - 2 ] Tabela 1. Wp³yw biostymulatorów na plon owoców pomidora [ kg. m - 2 ] AGENT Preparat RESISTIM Bio-algeen Tytanit spray Tytanit watering Goëmar Goteo 0,1%x4 Goëmar Goteo 0,1%x2 Goëmar Goteo 0,1%x2+2 Goëmar Goteo 0,2%x2+2 Goëmar Goteo 0,2%x4 Bio Jodis CONTROL/K ontrola EARLY CROP Plon wczesny 7.00 f 6.24 a 6.80 d 6.50 b 6.90 e 7.10 g 7.40 i 6.60 c 7.30 h 7.30 h 6.60 c TRADE CROP Plon handlowy 44.8 k 41.4 d 41.9 e 40.2 a 44.0 j 41.0 c 42.4 f 40.5 b 43.0 g 43.2 h 43.3 i GENERAL CROP Plon ogólny 45.9 i 42.3 c 43.1 d 41.2 a 45.0 j 42.3 c 43.3 e 41.4 b 44.3 h 44.2 g 44.0 f MEANS FOLLOWED BY THE SAME LETTER DO NOT DIFFER SIGNIFICANTLY AT a =0.05 (NEWMAN-KEULS TEST S OURCE: OWN STUDY. Wartoœci oznaczone t¹ sam¹ liter¹ nie ró ni¹ siê istotnie, przy a = 0,05 (Test Newmana-Keulsa ) ród³o: badania w³asne. Tissues hardness is mainly designated by cells turgor which is determined by cell s water supply [Kacperska 2002a, b, WoŸny 2001] and the structure of cell s walls [Wojtaszek 2001]. During the experiment the hardness of tomato fruits was essentially higher in plants treated with Bio Jodis and Goëmar Goteo in concentration of 0.1% than in the control and it was insignificantly highest after watering the plants with Tytanit (Tab. 2). The colour of fruits was a characteristic feature which, compared to the control, was marked advantage- TABLE 2. PHYSICAL FEATURES OF TOMATO FRUIT Tabela 2. Cechy fizyczne owoców pomidora BIOSTIMULATOR Goëmar Goteo I Resistim BIO JODIS Tytanit spraying Tytanit watering Bio-algeen S90 Control Goëmar Goteo II 0.1% Goëmar Goteo III 0.1% Goëmar Goteo IV 0.2% Goëmar Goteo V 0.2% E XPLANATIONS AND SOURCE: SEE TAB. 1. Objaœnienia i Ÿród³o: jak w tab. 1. SQUEEZIN G RESISTANCE Wytrzyma³oœæ na zgniatanie a k d h b e i g c f j HARDNESS (FIRMNESS) Twardoœæ (jêdrnoœæ) b c k f h d g j i e a COLOUR A/B (RED/YELLOW) Barwa a/b (czerwona/ ó³ta) ously on almost all combinations apart from plants sprayed with Tytanit. Tytanit in the form of spraying had a positive influence on pollination process (Phot. 1 A,B). More pollen grains was noticed on the pistil s stigmas of the first flowers of tomato plants treated with Titanit (Phot. 1A, B) in compare to the control or with the application of Bioalgeen S90. Tytanit was led to earlier flowers development, better pollination and faster fruit-setting, which caused early yield increment. Pais et al. [1977] and Pais [1983] presented a positive influence of titanium on many crops. It was proven that the yield was increased by 10-20% after spraying the plants with titanium solutions. In some experiments regarding apple trees, corn and sugar beet, the yield increased by 30%, and the chlorophyll content in leaves was 16-65% higher than in the control. Pais [1983] also noticed that titanium decreases herbicide damages of tomatoes, increases fruit dry mat-

17 16 A B PHOTOGRAPHY 1 A,B. GERMINATION OF POLLEN ON FLOWER STIGMAS FROM THE FIRST BUNCH OF THE TOMATO CONTROL PLANT (A) AND THE PLANT TREATED WITH TYTANIT (B) (PHOTO: AUTHORS) Fotografia 1 A,B. Kie³kowanie py³ku na znamionach kwiatów z pierwszego grona kontrolnej roœliny pomidora (A) i roœliny traktowanej Tytanitem (B) (fot. autorzy) ter by 10-33% and increases activity of many enzymes and the rate of photosynthesis. Pais [1983] used mainly titanium combined with ascorbic acid in the form of chelate complex, which was later patented under the name of Titavit. It is advised only for plants spraying, as when it is added to the soil, it quickly loses its activity. Czekalski et al. [1990] proved that in the case of corn cultivated on the alkaline soil, Titavit increased the yield of the fresh matter by 44%, whereas on acid soil the same treatment did not increase the yield at all. Dumon and Ernest [1988] presented data that in case of a very acid soil rich in titanium, there can be 40 times more of this element in plants being grown there than in case of other plants grown on the soil with far lower acidity. Besides leaves of treated plants accumulate highest quantities of this element. Kri ala [1995] proved the increment of sugar unit in sugar beet by 29% after double spraying with Titavit. The Research Institute of Vegetable Crops in Skierniewice for several years has conducted experiments with Tytanit [1999], which consists 0.8% of titanium, to fertilize leaves. It was found that female cucumbers of the WI 4783 line, which poorly produced seeds, after spraying three times by the 0.02% Tytanit solution, set considerably higher number of seeds which are collected earlier then in the control [Dyki et al. 2000]. It was subsequently conformed that after the use of Titanit the number of seeds increased even by 300% in comparison to untreated control [Doruchowski et al. 2000]. Earlier microscopic studies showed that Tytanit had an influence on better adherence of pollen grains to the stigma of the pistil which stimulates their germination [Dyki et al. 2000, Doruchowski et al. 2000]. After preliminary experiments in 2006 and analysis of the results from the 2007 experiment described in this study it was proves the aplication of following biostimulators as: Goëmar Goteo, Bio Jodis, Tytanit, Resistim and Bio-algeen S90 produced higher yield of tomato fruits and increment of their quality. The effects of stimulating activity of biostimulators are determined not only by suitable selected rate or its concentration but they are depend on the plant development stage during the treatments. The received in expe-

18 17 TABLE 3. THE INFLUENCE OF BIOSTIMULATORS ON CHEMICAL FEATURES OF TOMATO FRUITS Tabela 3. Wp³yw biostymulatorów na cechy chemiczne owoców pomidora AGENT Preparat GOËMAR I RESISTIM BIO JODIS TYTANIT spray TYTANIT watering BIO-ALG EEN CONTROL/ Kontrola GOËMAR II 0,1% GOËMAR III 0,1% GOËMAR IV 0,2% GOËMAR V 0.2% DRY MASTER Sucha m asa [% ] FRUIT FEATURES ANALYSIS VITAMIN C COMPOSITION Zawartoœæ witaminy C [ mg g - ] f c 9.79 a d c b 9.79 a g d d e EXPLANATIO N AND SOURCE: SEE TAB. 1. Objaœnienia i Ÿród³o: jak w tab. 1. TOTAL SUGARS Cukry o gó³em [% ] 2.89 f 2.96 g 2.83 e 2.79 d 2.75 c 2.89 f 2.89 f 2.75 b 2.75 h 2.83 e 2.65 a ACTIVE ACIDITY Kwasowoœæ czynna [ph] 4.64 f 4.63 e 4.60 b 4.62 d 4.70 h 4.62 a 4.66 g 4.60 b 4.62 c 4.60 c 4.60 b TOTAL ACIDITY IN % OF THE CITRIC ACID Kwasowoœæ ogólna w % kwasu cytrynowego 0.30 a 0.31 b 0.31 b 0.34 e 0.32 c 0.33 d 0.35 f 0.35 f 0.34 e 0.36 g 0.31 b RATIO OF SUGARS TO ACIDS Stosunek cukrów do kwasów riments results concerning the highness of yield and quality of tomato fruits were attested to stimulating activity of biostimulators. After the use of Goëmar Goteo biostimulator better fruit colouring, increment of the dry matter of tomato fruits, suitable ratio of sugars to acids and higher content of vitamin C in fruits were noted (Tab. 3). It was proved that Goëmar Goteo has a chance to conquer the market as a biostimulator in the production of greenhouse tomatoes. The results of plant`s morphology observations and microscopic studies were used to describe the influence of biostimulators on roots structure, pollination and the vascular bundles structure of root, stem and petiole. Besides the microscopic observations of root system proved bigger root system of the plants treated with Bio Jodis as well as in case of plants treated with Goëmar Goteo (Phot. 2A,B), Bio-algeen S90 and Resistim. Microscopic observations shown that after the use of biostimulators: Goëmar Goteo and Bio Jodis, the xylem tissues in sprout, roots, stems and petiole vascular bundles were better developed [Kacperska 2002a]. There was more xylem s cells and they were bigger in plants treated with biostimulators, they had thicker and stronger lignified secondary walls than the cells in the control. Floem s bundles were numerous and more developed (Phot. 3A-D). It could contribute to more efficient transport of water with mineral substances in the plant and as a result to increase of tomato fruits weight. Since it is known that increment of transport intensity of water and mineral substances from roots to leaves [Starck 2002] improves conditions for photosynthesis and assimilates accumulation in fruit, therefore better developed root vascular bundles could improved quality of fruits. It is known that stress caused by mistakes during the cultivation leads to disorders of tomato plants development which are treated as a physiological diseases but some biostimulators can counteracted plants stresses [Wysocka-Owczarek 2002, 2004]. The effects of stressogenic abiotic conditions such as temperature, light, air and soil humidity or mineral supply deficiency [Kacperska 2002b] can be limited after treatment of tomato plants with selected biostimulators which caused increment of plants resistance.

19 18 A B PHOTO 2A,B. FRAGMENTS OF ROOT SYSTEM OF CONTROL TOMATO PLANT (A) AND AFTER TREATMENT WITH GOËMAR GOTEO (B) (PHOTO: AUTHORS) Fot 2A,B. Fragmenty systemu korzeniowego roœliny kontrolnej (A) i traktowanej Goëmar Goteo (B) (fot. autorzy) A C X F X F B D F X F F X F PHOTO 3A-D. CROSS SECTIONS THROUGH XYLEM (X) AND FLOEM (F) VASCULAR BUNDLES OF THE CONTROL TOMATO STEM (A) AND TREATED WITH BIOSTIMULATORS (B, C, D) (PHOTO: AUTHORS) Fotografia 3A-D. Przekroje poprzeczne przez ksylem (X) i floem (F) wi¹zek przewodz¹cych ³odygi roœliny kontrolnej (A) i roœlin traktowanych biostimulatorami (B, C, D) (fot. autorzy)

20 CONCLUSIONS 1. The results of two years studies proved that tested biostimulators improved the yield and quality of tomato fruits, however the influence was different and depends on biostimulators. The best stimulating characters of the yielding of tomato cultivar Alboney F 1 shown following biostimulators: Resistim, Goëmar Goteo and Bio Jodis. Besides Titanit biostimulator caused faster fruit-setting. 2. Bigger root system produced by tomato plants treated with Bio Jodis and also with Goëmar Goteo, Bio-algeen S90 and Resistim. 3. Tomato plants treated with Goëmar Goteo and Bio Jodis biostimulators showed more numerous and bigger cells of xylem and floem vascular bundles in the stem. 4. The use of biostimulators like a Goëmar Goteo or Bio Jodis in the production requires further economical calculations. REFERENCES Babik J. 2004: Ekologiczne metody uprawy pomidorów w gruncie i pod os³onami (praca zbiorowa pod redakcj¹ Józefa Babika). Instytut Warzywnictwa, materia³y dla rolników, 4-48, Radom. Borkowski J., Kowalczyk W. 1999: Influence of Tytanit and chitosan sprays and other treatments on the tomato plant growth and the development of powdery mildew (Oidium lycopersicum). Bull. Pol. Acad. Sci., Biol. Sci., 47 (2-4), Borkowski J., Dyki B. 2004: Kilka uwag o chitozanie. Wiadomoœci Botaniczne, 48 (1/2), Borkowski J., Dyki B., Niekraszewicz A., Struszczyk H. 2004: Effect of the preparations Biochikol 020 PC, Tytanit, Biosept 33 SL and others on the healthiness of tomato plants and their fruiting in glasshouse. Polish Chitin Society, Monograph v. X, ódÿ, Czekalski A., Dryjañska M., Urbañski M. 1990: Wp³yw tytanu na plonowanie niektórych roœlin uprawnych. Prace Komisji Nauk Roln. PTPN. Rol. 69, Doruchowski R.W., ¹kowska-Ryk E., Dyki B. 2000: Treatment of virus diseased cucumber plants with titanium for improved seed production. Mendel Centenary Congress. Poster Abstracts 116, March Brno, Czech Republic. Dumon J.C., Ernest W.H.O. 1988: Titanium in plants. J. Plant Physiol., 133, Dyki B., Borkowski J. 2000: Wp³yw niedoboru miedzi na budowê anatomiczn¹ ³odygi i liœci pomidora. Zesz. Probl. Post. Nauk Roln., 471, cz. I, Dyki B., Borkowski J. 2007: Br¹zowe plamy na owocach pomidora. Has³o Ogrodnicze, 8, Dyki B., Borkowski J., ¹kowska-Ryk E., Doruchowski R.W., Panek E. 2000: Influence of the Tytanit compound on fertilization and stimulation of seed development in cucumber and tomato. Mendel Centenary Congress. Poster Abstracts, 115, March Brno, Czech Republic. Filutowicz A., Ku dowicz A. 1951: Mikrotechnika roœlinna. PWRiL, Warszawa. Gerlach D. 1972: Zarys mikrotechniki botanicznej. PWRiL, Warszawa. Górnik K., Dyki B., Grzesik M. 2003: Application of Tytanit and Asahi SL in horticultural seeds production in individual germinating cabbage seeds. Programme Book of Abstracts. International Workshop on Applied Seed Biology New Developments in Seed Quality Improvement. ódÿ, Poland, October, Hayat M.A. (ed.) 1976: Principles and techniques of scanning electron microscopy. Vol. 5, Van Nostrand Reinhold Co., New York. Kacperska A a: Gospodarka wodna. [W:] Fizjologia roœlin (pod red. J. Kopcewicza i S. Lewaka). PWN, Kacperska A. 2002b: Reakcje roœlin na abiotyczne czynniki stresowe. [W:] Fizjologia roœlin (pod red. J. Kopcewicza i S. Lewaka). PWN, Kawka B. 2008: Goëmar Goteo papryce na dobry pocz¹tek. Has³o Ogrodnicze, 3, 107. Kossak K. 2007a: Wp³yw temperatury na wzrost i rozwój pomidora. Has³o Ogrodnicze,

21 20 54 Zjazd PTB, Szczecin, 3-8.X, 51. Kri ala J. 1995: Vysledky vegetacnich zkousek novych druchu hnojiv z prerovskych chemickych zavodu, Puo ti Biologicky Activnich Latek v Reprodukci Zahradnickych Rostlin: Zahradnicka Fakulta v Lednici na Mor., , Pais I., Feher M., Farkas E., Szabo Z., Cornides I. 1977: Titanium as a new trace element. Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal., 8 (5), Pais I. 1983: The biological importance of titanium. J. Plant Nutr., 6, S³owiñski A. 2007a: Asahi SL w programie poprawy jakoœci warzyw. Has³o Ogrodnicze, 5, 151. S³owiñski A. 2007b: Goëmar BM 86 zastosowanie w warzywach. Has³o Ogrodnicze, 6, 119. Starck Z. 2002: Gospodarka mineralna roœlin. [W:] Fizjologia roœlin (pod red. J. Kopcewicza i S. Lewaka). PWN, Tytanit 1999: Ulotka przedsiêbiorstwa InterMag, Osiek, k/olkusza. Wojtaszek P. 2001: Œciana komórkowa. [W:] Podstawy biologii komórki roœlinnej (pod red. A. WoŸnego, J. Michejdy i L. Ratajczaka). Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, WoŸny A. 2001: System b³on wewnêtrznych. [W:] Podstawy biologii komórki roœlinnej (pod red. A. WoŸnego, J. Michejdy i L. Ratajczaka). Wydawnictwo Naukowe, Uniwersytet im. Adama Mickiewicza w Poznaniu, Wysocka-Owczarek M. 2002: Biostymulatory wzrostu w uprawie pomidorów pod os³onami, I i II. Has³o Ogrodnicze, 4, 73-74, i 5, Wysocka-Owczarek M. 2004: Zaburzenia wzrostu i rozwoju pomidora. Plantpress, Kraków,

22 EFFECT OF GOTEO TREATMENT ON YIELD AND FRU- IT QUALITY OF TOMATO GROWN ON ROCKWOOL 21 Katarzyna Kowalczyk, Teresa Zielony Warsaw University of Life Sciences, Warsaw, Poland INTRODUCTION During the cultivation of tomato on rockwool in all-the-year production growth disorders caused by different factors are often noticed. Adverse growing conditions such as temperature, EC and ph, or oxygen deficiency within the plant root zone may result in an ineffective ions uptake and active root surface lesions. The inhibition of growth and development follows in consequence [Gough, Hobson 1990, Adams 1991]. Low root activity impedes, among others, effective calcium supply to tomato fruit. This in turn causes blossom-end rot (BER) which disqualifies fruits [Adams, Holder 1992, Tabatabaie et al. 2004]. It is expected to increase plant tolerance to stress conditions after application of different biostimulators. The aim of this work was to test the effect of biopreparation GOTEO GOEMAR on yielding of tomato grown on rockwool. MATERIALS AND METHODS In these work the influence of Goëmar Goteo on the early, total and marketable yield and average weight of fruit and fruit quality was determined. The content of dry matter by drying at 105 o C and chosen chemicals parameters of tomato fruit were investigated. They were examined for the content of total sugars using Luffa-Schoorla method and titratable acids by potentiometry with citric acid base titration, ascorbic acid using Tillmans method, the concentration of nitrate-nitrogen using a spectrophotometric method (Fiastar analyzer), a percentage content of sugar extract expressed by the amount [%] of cell sap soluble solids with a refractometric analysis, Titratable acids using a potentiometric method and the results were expressed as percentage of citric acid (g of citric acid per 100 g fresh weight), the content of P with colorimetric test, the content of K and Ca with flame method. The plants of four tomato cultivars were cultivated on rockwool from February till November in 2006 and The factors of this experiment were: A treated plants: with Goëmar Goteo and untreated control, B cultivars of tomato (from the De Reuiter Seeds) as: Azarro F1, Lemance F1, Admiro F1 and Ladiva F1. Goteo was applied in 0.1% concentration together with fertilizer solution using drop irrigation system. First treatment was applied directly after planting and next treatments were done in high temperatures conditions (a few times during the experiment). 1 dm 3 of fertigation nutrient contained: 200 mg N-NO 3, 70 mg P, 340 mg K, 80 mg Mg, 200 mg Ca, 2 mg Fe, 0.6 mg Mn, 0.3 mg B, 0.15 mg Cu, 0.3 mg Zn, 0.05 mg Mo. EC and ph gradients in

23 22 representative rockwool slabs were systematicly for tomato crop investigated. Two-factor analysis of variance was used for statistical calculations in the Statgraphics Plus v. 4.1 program. Differences between means were calculated with t-student test at the significance level a = RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Early (up to July 20) harvest of tomatoes amounted to kg/m 2 for the plants treated with Goteo and to kg/m 2 only, for untreated (Fig. 1). The highest early harvest gave plants of cv Admiro F1 with the Goteo combination (20.37 kg/m 2 ). The highest increase in early harvest in response to Goteo applications was observed for cv Azarro F1 while the early harvest of cv Lemance F1 did not reflect any reaction to the treatment (Fig.1). Although similar relations were obtained for marketable yield of fruits collected before July 20, a positive effect of Goteo was in this case statistically insignificant (Fig. 2). A significant, positive effect of the preparation was however shown in the case of the number of fruit collected during early harvest. Mean number of fruits given in early yield by plants treated with Goteo was higher comparing to the control, respectively 131 and 121 fruits. m -2 (Tab.1). Mean weight of fruits obtained during early harvest or the number and weight of marketable fruits from early yield were not related to Goteo treat- FIGURE 1. TOTAL EARLY YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDENCE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREAT- MENT, TILL THE 20 OF JULY (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) SOURCE: OWN STUDY. Rysunek 1. Plon ca³kowity wczesny pomidora, do 20 lipca, w zale noœci od odmiany i stosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) rd³o: badania w³asne. kg. m -2 *RsPDUÃ*RWHRÃ &21752/.RQWUROD $]DUUR /HPDQFH $GPLUR /DGLYD $YHUDJH /6'1,5 FIGURE 2. MARKETABLE EARLY YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDEN- CE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREATMSNT, TILL THE 20 OF JULY (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) SOURCE: OWN STUDY Rysunek 2. Plon handlowy wczesny pomidora, do 20 lipca, w zale noœci od odmiany i stosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) rd³o: obliczenia w³asne. kg. m -2 *RsPDUÃ*RWHR &21752/.RQWUROD $]DUUR /HPDQFH $GPLUR /DGLYD $YHUDJH /6'1,5

24 23 TABLE 1. THE NUMBER AND AVERAGE MASS OF FRUIT IN EARLY YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDENCE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREATMENT, TILL THE 20 OF JULY (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) Tabela 1. Liczba i œrednia masa owocu pomidora w plonie wczesnym, do 20 lipca, w zale noœci od odmiany i zastosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) CULTIVAR OF TOMATO Odmiana pomidora Azarro F emance Admiro F1 Ladiva F1 MEANS Œrednie 1 L F 1 NUMBER OF FRUIT [ pcs m- 2 ] Liczba owoców [ szt.. m - 2 ] Goteo EARLY YIELD TILL THE 20 OF JULY Plon wczesny do 20 lipca GLOBAL YIELD Plon ca³kowity Control AVERAGE MASS OF FRUIT Œrednia masa owocu [g] Goteo Control MARCETABLE YIELD Plon handlowy NUMBER OF FRUIT [ pcs m- 2 ] Liczba owoców [ szt.. m - 2 ] Goteo Control AVERAGE MASS OF FRUIT Œrednia masa owocu [g] Goteo LSD/NIR 9.26 n.s./r.n. n.s./r.n. n.s./r.n. S OURCE: OWN STUDY. ród³o: badania w³asne. Control ments (Tab. 1). The positive influence of fertilizer with the preparation which contained seaweed algae Ascophyllum nodosum on photosynthesis in relation to fruit yield of bell pepper was also observed [Eris et al. 1995, Pramod et al. 2000]. The effect of other biopreparation (Asahi SL) on the yield of such plants as celery, tomato and leek or bean was reported by Szewczuk and Juszczak [2003] and Czeczko and Mikos-Bielak [2004], respectively. The analysis of the total yield of tomato fruits harvested during a two-year study (till the end of November) did not reveal any significant differences in yield between the NJà ÃP $]DUUR /HPDQFH $GPLUR /DGLYD $YHUDJH /6'1,5 *27(2ñÃ727$/Ã<,(/'*27(2ñÃSORQÃRJyOQ\ &21752/ñÃ727$/Ã<,(/'NRQWURODñÃSORQÃRJyOQ\ *27(2ñÃ0$5.(7$%/(Ã<,(/'Ã*27(2ñÃSORQÃKDQGORZ\ &21752/ñÃ0$5.(7$%/(Ã<,(/'.RQWURODñÃSORQÃKDQGORZ\à FIGURE 3. TOTAL YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDENCE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREATMENT, TILL THE END OF NOVEMBER (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) SOURCE: OWN STUDY. Rysunek 3. Plon ogólny pomidora do koñca listopada, w zale noœci od odmiany i stosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) rd³o: badania w³asne.

25 24 representative rockwool slabs were systematicly for tomato crop investigated. Two-factor analysis of variance was used for statistical calculations in the Statgraphics Plus v. 4.1 program. Differences between means were calculated with t-student test at the significance level a = RESULTS AND DISCUSSION Early (up to July 20) harvest of tomatoes amounted to kg/m 2 for the plants treated with Goteo and to kg/m 2 only, for untreated (Fig. 1). The highest early harvest gave plants of cv Admiro F1 with the Goteo combination (20.37 kg/m 2 ). The highest increase in early harvest in response to Goteo applications was observed for cv Azarro F1 while the early harvest of cv Lemance F1 did not reflect any reaction to the treatment (Fig.1). Although similar relations were obtained for marketable yield of fruits collected before July 20, a positive effect of Goteo was in this case statistically insignificant (Fig. 2). A significant, positive effect of the preparation was however shown in the case of the number of fruit collected during early harvest. Mean number of fruits given in early yield by plants treated with Goteo was higher comparing to the control, respectively 131 and 121 fruits. m -2 (Tab.1). Mean weight of fruits obtained during early harvest or the number and weight of marketable fruits from early yield were not related to Goteo treat- FIGURE 1. TOTAL EARLY YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDENCE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREAT- MENT, TILL THE 20 OF JULY (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) SOURCE: OWN STUDY. Rysunek 1. Plon ca³kowity wczesny pomidora, do 20 lipca, w zale noœci od odmiany i stosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) rd³o: badania w³asne. kg. m -2 *RsPDUÃ*RWHRÃ &21752/.RQWUROD $]DUUR /HPDQFH $GPLUR /DGLYD $YHUDJH /6'1,5 FIGURE 2. MARKETABLE EARLY YIELD OF TOMATO IN DEPENDEN- CE ON CULTIVAR AND GOTEO TREATMSNT, TILL THE 20 OF JULY (MEANS FROM 2 YEARS) SOURCE: OWN STUDY Rysunek 2. Plon handlowy wczesny pomidora, do 20 lipca, w zale noœci od odmiany i stosowania Goteo (œrednie z dwóch lat) rd³o: obliczenia w³asne. kg. m -2 *RsPDUÃ*RWHR &21752/.RQWUROD $]DUUR /HPDQFH $GPLUR /DGLYD $YHUDJH /6'1,5